Data storage system having dummy printed circuit boards with jumpers

ABSTRACT

A method and system for producing a data storage system for transferring data between a host computer/server and a bank of disk drives through a system interface. The system interface has a plurality of first directors, a plurality of second directors, and a global memory. The method includes: providing a backplane having slots adapted to have plugged therein a plurality of printed circuit board. The printed circuit boards include: a plurality of first director boards having the first directors; a plurality of second printed circuit boards having the second directors; a plurality of memory printed circuit boards providing the global memory; a plurality of dummy first director boards having first jumpers; a plurality of dummy second director boards having second jumpers; a plurality of dummy memory boards having third jumpers. The method includes wiring the backplane to effect a connection among the first, second and third jumpers to interconnect the first plurality of director to the host computer/server, the plurality of second plurality of directors to the bank of disk drives and the global memory to the first plurality of directors and to the second plurality of director. The method and system allows the same wired backplane to be used with systems having a different number of memory and director boards and still enable dual-write and redundancy to the global memory.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application incorporates by reference, in their entirety, the following co-pending patent applications all assigned to the same assignee as the present invention:

INVENTORS FILING DATE Ser. No. TITLE Yuval Ofek et al. Mar. 31, 2000 09/540,828 Data Storage System Having Separate Data Transfer Section And Message Network Paul C. Wilson Jun. 29, 2000 09/606,730 Data Storage System et al. Having Point-To-Point Configuration John K. Walton Jan. 22, 2002 10/054,241 Data Storage System et al. (Divisional of 09/223,519 filed Dec. 30, 1998) Christopher S. Dec. 21, 2000 09/745,859 Data Storage System MacLellan et al. Having Plural Fault Domains John K. Walton May 17, 2001 09/859,659 Data Storage System Having No-Operation Command

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to data storage systems, and more particularly to data storage systems having redundancy arrangements to protect against total system failure in the event of a failure in a component or subassembly of the storage system.

BACKGROUND

As is known in the art, large host computers and servers (collectively referred to herein as “host computer/servers”) require large capacity data storage systems. These large computer/servers generally includes data processors, which perform many operations on data introduced to the host computer/server through peripherals including the data storage system. The results of these operations are output to peripherals, including the storage system.

One type of data storage system is a magnetic disk storage system. Here a bank of disk drives and the host computer/server are coupled together through an interface. The interface includes “front end” or host computer/server controllers (or directors) and “back-end” or disk is controllers (or directors). The interface operates the controllers (or directors) in such a way that they are transparent to the host computer/server. That is, data is stored in, and retrieved from, the bank of disk drives in such a way that the host computer/server merely thinks it is operating with its own local disk drive. One such system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,939, entitled “System and Method for Disk Mapping and Data Retrieval”, inventors Moshe Yanai, Natan Vishlitzky, Bruno Alterescu and Daniel Castel, issued Apr. 27, 1993, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

As described in such U.S. patent, the interface may also include, in addition to the host computer/server controllers (or directors) and disk controllers (or directors), addressable cache memories. The cache memory is a semiconductor memory and is provided to rapidly store data from the host computer/server before storage in the disk drives, and, on the other hand, store data from the disk drives prior to being sent to the host computer/server. The cache memory being a semiconductor memory, as distinguished from a magnetic memory as in the case of the disk drives, is much faster than the disk drives in reading and writing data

The host computer/server controllers, disk controllers and cache memory are interconnected through a backplane printed circuit board. More particularly, disk controllers are mounted on disk controller printed circuit boards. The host computer/server controllers are mounted on host computer/server controller printed circuit boards. And, cache memories are mounted on cache memory printed circuit boards. The disk directors, host computer/server directors, and cache memory printed circuit boards plug into the backplane printed circuit board. In order to provide data integrity in case of a failure in a director, the backplane printed circuit board has a pair of buses. One set the disk directors is connected to one bus and another set of the disk directors is connected to the other bus. Likewvise, one set the host computer/server directors is connected to one bus and another set of the host computer/server directors is directors connected to the other bus. The cache memories are connected to both buses. Each one of the buses provides data, address and control information.

The arrangement is shown schematically in FIG. 1. Thus, the use of two buses B1, B2 provides a degree of redundancy to protect against a total system failure in the event that the controllers or disk drives connected to one bus, fail. Further, the use of two buses increases the data transfer bandwidth of the system compared to a system having a single bus. Thus, in operation, when the host computer/server 12 wishes to store data, the host computer 12 issues a write request to one of the front-end directors 14 (i.e., host computer/server directors) to perform a write command. One of the front-end directors 14 replies to the request and asks the host computer 12 for the data. After the request has passed to the requesting one of the front-end directors 14, the director 14 determines the size of the data and reserves space in the cache memory 18 to store the request The front-end director 14 then produces control signals on one of the address memory busses B1, B2 connected to such front-end director 14 to enable the transfer to the cache memory 18. The host computer/server 12 then transfers the data to the front-end director 14. The front-end director 14 then advises the host computer/server 12 that the transfer is complete. The front-end director 14 looks up in a Table, not shown, stored in the cache memory 18 to determine which one of the back-end directors 20 (i.e., disk directors) is to handle this request. The Table maps the host computer/server 12 addresses into an address in the bank 14 of disk drives. The front-end director 14 then puts a notification in a “mail box” (not shown and stored in the cache memory 18) for the back-end director 20, which is to handle the request, the amount of the data and the disk address for the data. Other back-end directors 20 poll the cache memory 18 when they are idle to check their “mail boxes”. If the polled “mail box” indicates a transfer is to be made, the back-end director 20 processes the request, addresses the disk drive in the bank 22, reads the data from the cache memory 18 and writes it into the addresses of a disk drive in the bank 22.

When data is to be read from a disk drive in bank 22 to the host computer/server 12 the system operates in a reciprocal manner. More particularly, during a read operation, a read request is instituted by the host computer/server 12 for data at specified memory locations (i.e., a requested data block). One of the front-end directors 14 receives the read request and examines the cache memory 18 to determine whether the requested data block is stored in the cache memory 18. If the requested data block is in the cache memory 18, the requested data block is read from the cache memory 18 and is sent to the host computer/server 12. If the front-end director 14 determines that the requested data block is not in the cache memory 18 (i.e., a so-called “cache miss”) and the director 14 writes a note in the cache memory 18 (i.e., the “mail box”) that it needs to receive the requested data block. The back-end directors 20 poll the cache memory 18 to determine whether there is an action to be taken (i.e., a read operation of the requested block of data). The one of the back-end directors 20 which poll the cache memory 18 mail box and detects a read operation reads the requested data block and initiates storage of such requested data block stored in the cache memory 18. When the storage is completely written into the cache memory 18, a read complete indication is placed in the “mail box” in the cache memory 18. It is to be noted that the front-end directors 14 are polling the cache memory 18 for read complete indications. When one of the polling front-end directors 14 detects a read complete indication, such front-end director 14 completes the transfer of the requested data which is now stored in the cache memory 18 to the host computer/server 12.

The use of mailboxes and polling requires time to transfer data between the host computer/server 12 and the bank 22 of disk drives thus reducing the operating bandwidth of the interface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for producing a data storage system for transferring data between a host computer/server and a bank of disk drives through a system interface. The system interface has a plurality of first directors, a plurality of second directors, and a global memory. The method includes: providing a backplane having slots adapted to have plugged therein a plurality of printed circuit board. The printed circuit boards include: a plurality of first director boards having the first directors; a plurality of second printed circuit boards having the second directors; a plurality of memory printed circuit boards providing the global memory; a plurality of dummy first director boards having first jumpers; a plurality of dummy second director boards having second jumpers; a plurality of dummy memory boards having third jumpers. The method includes wiring the backplane to effect a connection among the first, second and third jumpers to interconnect the first plurality of director to the host computer/server, the plurality of second plurality of directors to the bank of disk drives and the global memory to the first plurality of directors and to the second plurality of director.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, a data storage system is provided for transferring data between a host computer/server and a bank of disk drives through a system interface. The system interface has a plurality of first directors a plurality of second directors, and a global memory. The interface comprises: a backplane having slots adapted to have plugged therein a plurality of printed circuit board The printed circuit boards comprise: a plurality of first director boards having the first directors; a plurality of second printed circuit boards having the second directors; a plurality of memory printed circuit boards providing the global memory; a plurality of dummy first director boards having first jumpers; a plurality of dummy second director boards having second jumpers; a plurality of dummy memory boards having third jumpers. The backplane is wired to effect a connection among the first, second and third jumpers to interconnect the first plurality of director to the host computer/server, the plurality of second plurality of directors to the bank of disk drives and the plurality of memories to the first plurality of directors and to the second plurality of director.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description when read together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data storage system according to the PRIOR ART;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data storage system according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sketch of an electrical cabinet storing a system interface used in the data storage system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagramatical, isometric sketch showing printed circuit boards providing the system interface of the data storage system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the system interface used in the data storage system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary global cache memory board used in the system interface of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 A is a diagram showing an exemplary one of the memory printed circuit boards used in the system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a pair of front-end director boards coupled between a pair of host processors and global cache memory boards and a pair of front-end director boards coupled between a pair of disk drives and global cache memory boards used in the system interface of the system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of a backplane used in the system of FIG. 2, such backplane having slots adapted to receive front-end director printed circuit boards, back-end director printed circuit boards and memory boards;

FIG. 9 is an elevation view of a backplane used in the system of FIG. 2, such backplane having slots adapted to receive front-end director printed circuit boards, back-end director printed circuit boards, memory boards and dummy front-end director printed circuit boards, dummy back-end director printed circuit boards, dummy memory boards, such dummy printed circuit boards having jumpers to enable the same backplane to be used with a fully populated system having all of the memory boards and directors in FIG. 2 and a de-populated system having only a portion of the all of the memory boards and directors in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 shows the dummy memory boards used in the de-populated system;

FIG. 11 shows the dummy director boards used in the de-populated system;

FIG. 12 A is a diagram showing an exemplary one of the memory printed circuit boards used in the de-populated system;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a pair of front-end director boards coupled between a pair of host processors and global cache memory boards and a pair of front-end director boards coupled between a pair of disk drives and global cache memory boards used in the system interface of the de-populated system; and

FIG. 14 is a universal director board adapted for use in the system interface of the de-populated system of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 2, a data storage system 100 is shown for transferring data between a host computer/server 120 and a bank of disk drives 140 through a system interface 160. The system interface 160 includes: a plurality of, here 32 front-end directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ coupled to the host computer/server 120 via ports 123 ₁-123 ₃₂; a plurality of back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ coupled to the bank of disk drives 140 via ports 123 ₃₃-123 ₆₄; a data transfer section 240, having a global cache memory 220, coupled to the plurality of front-end directors 180 ₁-180 ₁₆ and the back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₁₆; and a messaging network 260, operative independently of the data transfer section 240, coupled to the plurality of front-end directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ and the plurality of back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂, as shown. The front-end and back-end directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂, 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ are functionally similar and include a microprocessor (μP) 299 (i.e., a central processing unit (CPU) and RAM), a message engine/CPU controller 314 and a data pipe 316, described in detail in the co-pending patent applications referred to above. Suffice it to say here, however, that the front-end and back-end directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂, 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ control data transfer between the host computer/server 120 and the bank of disk drives 140 in response to messages passing between the directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂, 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ through the messaging network 260. The messages facilitate the data transfer between host computer/server 120 and the bank of disk drives 140 with such data passing through the global cache memory 220 via the data transfer section 240. More particularly, in the case of the front-end directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂, the data passes between the host computer to the global cache memory 220 through the data pipe 316 in the front-end directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ and the messages pass through the message engine/CPU controller 314 in such front-end directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂. In the case of the back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ the data passes between the back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ and the bank of disk drives 140 and the global cache memory 220 through the data pipe 316 in the back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ and again the messages pass through the message engine/CPU controller 314 in such back-end director 200 ₁-200 ₃₂.

With such an arrangement, the cache memory 220 in the data transfer section 240 is not burdened with the task of transferring the director messaging. Rather the messaging network 260 operates independent of the data transfer section 240 thereby increasing the operating bandwidth of the system interface 160.

In operation, and considering first a read request by the host computer/server 120 (i.e., the host computer/server 120 requests data from the bank of disk drives 140), the request is passed from one of a plurality of, here 32, host computer processors 121 ₁-121 ₃₂ in the host computer 120 to one or more of the pair of the front-end directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ connected to such host computer processor 121 ₁-121 ₃₂. (It is noted that in the host computer 120, each one of the host computer processors 121 ₁-121 ₃₂ is coupled to here a pair (but not limited to a pair) of the front-end directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂, to provide redundancy in the event of a failure in one of the front end-directors 181 ₁-181 ₃₂ coupled thereto. Likewise, the bank of disk drives 140 has a plurality of, here 32, disk drives 141 ₁-141 ₃₂, each disk drive 141 ₁-141 ₃₂ being coupled to here a pair (but not limited to a pair) of the back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂, to provide redundancy in the event of a failure in one of the back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ coupled thereto). Thus, front-end director pairs 180 ₁,180 ₂; . . . 180 ₃₁, 180 ₃₂ are coupled to processor pairs 121 ₁, 121 ₂; . . . 121 ₃₁, 121 ₃₂, respectively, as shown. Likewise, back-end director pairs 200 ₁, 200 ₂; . . . 200 ₃₁, 200 ₃₂ are coupled to disk drive pairs 141 ₁,141 ₂; . . . 141 ₃₁, 141 ₃₂, respectively, as shown.

Each front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ includes a microprocessor (μP) 299 (i.e., a central processing unit (CPU) and RAM) described in detail in the referenced patent application. Suffice it to say here, however, that the microprocessor 299 makes a request for the data from the global cache memory 220. The global cache memory 220 has a resident cache management table, not shown. Every director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂, 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ has access to the resident cache management table and every time a front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ requests a data transfer, the front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ must query the global cache memory 220 to determine whether the requested data is in the global cache memory 220. If the requested data is in the global cache memory 220 (i.e., a read “hit”), the front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂, more particularly the microprocessor 299 therein, mediates a DMA (Direct Memory Access) operation for the global cache memory 220 and the requested data is transferred to the requesting host computer processor 121 ₁-121 ₃₂.

If, on the other hand, the front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ receiving the data request determines that the requested data is not in the global cache memory 220 (i.e., a “miss”) as a result of a query of the cache management table in the global cache memory 220, such front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ concludes that the requested data is in the bank of disk drives 140. Thus the front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ that received the request for the data must make a request for the data from one of the back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ in order for such back-end director 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ to request the data from the bank of disk drives 140. The mapping of which back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ control which disk drives 141 ₁-141 ₃₂ in the bank of disk drives 140 is determined during a power-up initialization phase. The map is stored in the global cache memory 220. Thus, when the front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ makes a request for data from the global cache memory 220 and determines that the requested data is not in the global cache memory 220 (i.e., a “miss”), the frontend director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ is also advised by the map in the global cache memory 220 of the back-end director 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ responsible for the requested data in the bank of disk drives 140. The requesting front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ then must make a request for the data in the bank of disk drives 140 from the map designated back-end director 200 ₁-200 ₃₂. This request between the front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ and the appropriate one of the back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ (as determined by the map stored in the global cache memory 200) is by a message which passes from the front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ through the message network 260 to the appropriate back-end director 200 ₁-200 ₃₂. It is noted then that the message does not pass through the global cache memory 220 (i.e., does not pass through the data transfer section 240) but rather passes through the separate, independent message network 260. Thus, communication between the directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂, 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ is through the message network 260 and not through the global cache memory 220. Consequently, valuable bandwidth for the global cache memory 220 is not used for messaging among the directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂, 200 ₁-200 ₃₂.

Thus, on a global cache memory 220 “read miss”, the front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ sends a message to the appropriate one of the back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ through the message network 260 to instruct such back-end director 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ to transfer the requested data from the bank of disk drives 140 to the global cache memory 220. When accomplished; the back-end director 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ advises the requesting front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ that the transfer is accomplished by a message, which passes from the back-end director 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ to the front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ through the message network 260. In response to the acknowledgement signal, the front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ is thereby advised that such front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ can transfer the data from the global cache memory 220 to the requesting host computer processor 121 ₁-121 ₃₂ as described above when there is a cache “read hit”.

It should be noted that there might be one or more back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ responsible for the requested data. Thus, if only one back-end director 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ is responsible for the requested data, the requesting front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ sends a uni-cast message via the message network 260 to only that specific one of the back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂. On the other hand, if more than one of the back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ is responsible for the requested data, a multi-cast message (here implemented as a series of uni-cast messages) is sent by the requesting one of the front-end directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ to all of the back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ having responsibility for the requested data In any event, with both a uni-cast or multi-cast message, such message is passed through the message network 260 and not through the data transfer section 240 (i.e., not through the global cache memory 220).

Likewise, it should be noted that while one of the host computer processors 121 ₁-121 ₃₂ might request data, the acknowledgement signal may be sent to the requesting host computer processor 1211 or one or more other host computer processors 121 ₁-121 ₃₂ via a multi-cast (i.e., sequence of uni-cast) messages through the message network 260 to complete the data read operation.

Considering a write operation, the host computer 120 wishes to write data into storage (i.e., into the bank of disk drives 140). One of the front-end directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ receives the data from the host computer 120 and writes it into the global cache memory 220. The front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ then requests the transfer of such data after some period of time when the back-end director 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ determines that the data can be removed from such cache memory 220 and stored in the bank of disk drives 140. Before the transfer to the bank of disk drives 140, the data in the cache memory 220 is tagged with a bit as “fresh data” (i.e., data which has not been transferred to the bank of disk drives 140, that is data which is “write pending”). Thus, if there are multiple write requests for the same memory location in the global cache memory 220 (e.g., a particular bank account) before being transferred to the bank of disk drives 140, the data is overwritten in the cache memory 220 with the most recent data. Each time data is transferred to the global cache memory 220, the front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ controlling the transfer also informs the host computer 120 that the transfer is complete to thereby free-up the host computer 120 for other data transfers. When it is time to transfer the data in the global cache memory 220 to the bank of disk drives 140, as determined by the back-end director 200 ₁-200 ₃₂, the back-end director 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ transfers the data from the global cache memory 220 to the bank of disk drives 140 and resets the tag associated with data in the global cache memory 220 (i.e., un-tags the data) to indicate that the data in the global cache memory 220 has been transferred to the bank of disk drives 140. It is noted that the un-tagged data in the global cache memory 220 remains there until overwritten with new data.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the system interface 160 is shown to include an electrical cabinet 300 having stored therein: a plurality of, here eight front-end director boards 190 ₁-190 ₈, each one having here four of the front-end directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂; a plurality of, here eight back-end director boards 210 ₁-210 ₈, each one having here four of the back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂; and a plurality of, here eight, memory boards M0-M7 which together make up the global cache memory 220. These boards plug into the front side of a backplane 302. (It is noted that the backplane 302 is a mid-plane printed circuit board). Plugged into the backside of the backplane 302 are message network boards which together make up the message network 260 as described in the co-pending patent applications referred to above. The backside of the backplane 302 has plugged into it adapter boards, not shown in FIGS. 2-4, which couple the boards plugged into the back-side of the backplane 302 with the computer 120 and the bank of disk drives 140 as shown in FIG. 2.

That is, referring again briefly to FIG. 2, an I/O adapter, not shown, is coupled between each one of the front-end (FE) directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ and the host computer 120 and an I/O adapter, not shown, is coupled between each one of the back-end (BE) directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ and the bank of disk drives 140.

Referring now to FIG. 5, and as described in more in the co-pending patent applications referred to above, each one of the director boards 190 ₁-210 ₈ includes, as noted above four of the directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂, 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ (FIG. 2). It is noted that the director boards 190 ₁-190 ₈ having four front-end directors per board, 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ are referred to as front-end directors and the director boards 210 ₁-210 ₈ having four back-end directors per board, 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ are referred to as back-end directors. Each one of the directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂, 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ includes the microprocessor 299 referred to above), the message engine/CPU controller 314, and the data pipe 316 shown in FIG. 2.

The front-end director boards have ports 123 ₁-123 ₃₂, as shown in FIG. 2, coupled to the processors 121 ₁-121 ₃₂, as shown. The back-end director boards have ports 123 ₃₃-123 ₆₄, as shown in FIG. 2, coupled to the disk drives 141 ₁-141 ₃₂, as shown.

Each one of the director boards 190 ₁-210 ₈ includes a crossbar switch 318 as shown in FIG. 5. The crossbar switch 318 has four input/output ports C₁-C₄, each one being coupled to the data pipe 316 (FIG. 2) of a corresponding one of the four directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂, 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ on the director board 190 ₁-210 ₈. The crossbar switch 318 has eight output/input ports collectively identified in FIG. 5 by numerical designation 321 (which plug into the backplane 302). The crossbar switch 318 on the front-end director boards 191 ₁-191 ₈ is used for coupling the data pipe 316 of a selected one of the four front-end directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ on the front-end director board 190 ₁-190 ₈ to the global cache memory 220 via the backplane 302 and I/O adapter, not shown. The crossbar switch 318 on the back-end director boards 210 ₁-210 ₈ is used for coupling the data pipe 316 of a selected one of the four back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ on the back-end director board 210 ₁-210 ₈ to the global cache memory 220 via the backplane 302 and I/O adapter, not shown. Thus, referring to FIG. 2, the data pipe 316 in the front-end directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ couples data between the host computer 120 and the global cache memory 220 while the data pipe 316 in the back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ couples data between the bank of disk drives 140 and the global cache memory 220. It is noted that there are separate point-to-point data paths PTH₁-PTH₆₄ (FIG. 2) between each one of the directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂, 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ and the global cache memory 220. It is also noted that the backplane 302 is a passive backplane because it is made up of only etched conductors on one or more layers of a printed circuit board. That is, the backplane 302 does not have any active components.

Further, as described in the co-pending patent applications referred to above, crossbar switch 320 (FIG. 5) plugs into the backplane 302 and is used for coupling to the directors to the message network 260 (FIG. 2) through the backplane.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the crossbar switch 318 includes a pair of crossbar switches 406X, 406Y. Each one of the switches 406X, 406Y includes four input/output director-side ports C₁-C₄ and the four input/output memory-side ports collectively designated in FIG. 5 by numerical designation 321. The director-side ports C₁-C₄ of switch 406X are connected to the four directors on the director board, as indicated, and as described in more detail in the co-pending patent applications referred to above. Likewise, director-side ports C₁-C₄ of switch 406Y are also connected to the dual-ported directors on such board, as indicated. Thus, as described in the co-pending patent applications referred to above, each director is a dual-ported directors.

Each one of the ports C₁-C₄ may be coupled to a selected one of the four ports collectively designated by 321 in accordance with control words provided to the switch 406X by the directors on such board, respectively, as described in the above-referenced patent application. Suffice it to say here, that port 402A of any one of the directors 180 ₁, 180 ₃, 180 ₅, 180 ₇ may be coupled to any one of the ports 321 of switch 406X, selectively in accordance with the control words. The coupling between the director boards 190 ₁-190 ₈, 210 ₁-210 ₈ and the global cache memory 220 is shown in FIG. 8. Likewise for switch 406Y.

More particularly, and referring also to FIG. 2, as noted above, each one of the host computer processors 121 ₁-121 ₃₂ in the host computer 120 is coupled to a pair of the front-end directors 180 ₁-180 ₃₂, to provide redundancy in the event of a failure in one of the front end-directors 181 ₁-181 ₃₂ coupled thereto. Likewise, the bank of disk drives 140 has a plurality of, here 32, disk drives 141 ₁-141 ₃₂, each disk drive 141 ₁-141 ₃₂ being coupled to a pair of the back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ to provide redundancy in the event of a failure in one of the back-end directors 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ coupled thereto). Thus, considering exemplary host computer processor 121 ₁, such processor 121 ₁ is coupled to a pair of front-end directors 180 ₁, 180 ₂. Thus, if director 180 ₁ fails, the host computer processor 121 ₁ can still access the system interface 160, albeit by the other front-end director 180 ₂. Thus, directors 180 ₁, and 180 ₂ are considered redundancy pairs of directors. Likewise, other redundancy pairs of front-end directors are: front-end directors 180 ₃, 180 ₄; 180 ₅, 180 ₆; 180 ₇, 180 ₈; 180 ₉, 180 ₁₀; 180 ₁₁, 180 ₁₂; 180 ₁₃, 180 ₁₄; 180 ₁₅, 180 ₁₆; 180 ₁₇, 180 ₁₈; 180 ₁₉, 180 ₂₀; 180 ₂₁, 180 ₂₂; 180 ₂₃, 180 ₂₄; 180 ₂₅, 180 ₂₆; 180 ₂₇, 180 ₂₈; 180 ₂₉, 180 ₃₀; and 180 ₃₁, 180 ₃₂ (only directors 180 ₃₁ and 180 ₃₂ being shown in FIG. 2).

Likewise, disk drive 141 ₁ is coupled to a pair of back-end directors 200 ₁, 200 ₂. Thus, if director 200 ₁ fails, the disk drive 141 ₁ can still access the system interface 160, albeit by the other back-end director 180 ₂. Thus, directors 200 ₁ and 200 ₂ are considered redundancy pairs of directors. Likewise, other redundancy pairs of back-end directors are: back-end directors 200 ₃, 200 ₄; 200 ₅, 200 ₆; 200 ₇,200 ₈; 200 ₉,200 ₁₀; 200 ₁₁, 200 ₁₂; 200 ₁₃, 200 ₁₄; 200 ₁₅, 200 ₁₆; 200 ₁₇, 200 ₁₈; 200 ₁₉, 200 ₂₀; 200 ₂₁, 200 ₂₂; 200 ₂₃, 200 ₂₄; 200 ₂₅, 200 ₂₆; 200 ₂₇, 200 ₂₈; 200 ₂₉, 200 ₃₀; and 200 ₃₁, 200 ₃₂ (only directors 200 ₃₁ and 200 ₃₂ being shown in FIG. 2).

As noted above, there are four directors on each one of the director boards. The physical position of the director boards along with a positional designation, are shown in FIG. 8 (e.g., director board 190 ₁ also has the designation D2). Further, Thus, referring to FIGS. 2 and 5:

FRONT-END FRONT-END DIRECTORS ON THE DIRECTOR BOARD FRONT-END DIRECTOR BOARD 190₁(D2) 180₁, 180₃, 180₅, 180₇ 190₁(DD) 180₂, 180₄, 180₆, 180₈ 190₂(D3) 180₉, 180₁₁, 180₁₃, 180₁₅ 190₃(DC) 180₁₀, 180₁₂, 180₁₄, 180₁₆ 190₄(D9) 180₁₇, 180₁₉, 180₂₁, 180₂₃ 190₅(D6) 180₁₈, 180₂₀, 180₂₂, 180₂₄ 190₆(D8) 180₂₅, 180₂₇, 180₂₉, 180₃₁ 190₇(D7) 180₂₆, 180₂₈, 180₃₀, 180₃₂ 210₁(D0) 200₁, 200₃, 200₅, 200₇ 210₁(DF) 200₂, 200₄, 200₆, 200₈ 210₂(D2) 200₉, 200₁₁, 200₁₃, 200₁₅ 210₃(DE) 200₁₀, 200₁₂, 200₁₄, 200₁₆ 210₄(DB) 200₁₇, 200₁₉, 200₂₁, 200₂₃ 210₅(D4) 200₁₈, 200₂₀, 200₂₂, 200₂₄ 210₆(DA) 200₂₅, 200₂₇, 200₂₉, 200₃₁ 210₇(D5) 200₂₆, 200₂₈, 200₃₀, 200₃₂

Thus, to provide the redundant pairs of directors described above, the following director boards are paired to enable achievement of the above-described redundancy:

Front-end boards:

-   -   D2 and DD     -   D3 and DC     -   D9 and D6     -   D8 and D7

Back-end boards

-   -   D0 and DF     -   D2 and DE     -   DB and D4     -   DA and D5

Further, referring also to FIG. 5, the global cache memory 220 includes a plurality of, here eight, cache memory boards M0-M7, as shown. Still further, referring to FIG. 6, an exemplary one of the cache memory boards is shown. Here, each cache memory board includes four memory array regions 1-4, an exemplary one thereof being shown and described in connection with FIG. 6 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,287 entitled “Fault Tolerant Memory System”, John K. Walton, inventor, issued Aug. 24, 1999 and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, the entire subject matter therein being incorporated herein by reference. Further detail of the exemplary one of the cache memory boards is described in the co-pending patent applications referred to above.

As shown in FIG. 6, the exemplary memory board includes a plurality of, here four RAM memory array regions 1-4, each one of the array regions has a pair of redundant data/control ports, i.e., an A port and a B port, for receiving data to, or from, the memory array region as well as for receiving memory control signals. The memory board itself has sixteen ports; a set of eight domain A ports P₀-P₇ and a set of eight domain B ports P₈-P₁₅. As described in more detail in the co-pending patent applications referred to above and in the above-reference U.S. patent, each memory board has four logic networks (here crossbar switches). These four logic networks 221 _(1A), 221 _(2A), 221 _(1B), 221 _(2B), are here cross bar switches. Logic networks 221 _(1A), 221 _(2A), and logic networks 221 _(1B), 221 _(2B), are in two independent domains, i.e., domain A and domain B. Thus, logic networks 221 _(1A), 221 _(2A), are in domain A and logic networks 221 _(1B), 221 _(2B) are in domain B, respectively. Further, logic networks 221 _(1A), 221 _(2A), in domain A are designated as A1 and A2 respectively, and logic networks 221 _(1B), 221 _(2B) in domain B are designated as B1 and B2, respectively.

These connections between memory boards M0 through M7 and directors D0 through DF are in the following Tables I and II, respectively:

TABLE I PORT LOGIC DIRECTOR (END), PORT, SWITCH MEMORY 0 P₀ A1 D8 (FE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₁ A1 D0 (BE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₂ A1 D9 (FE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₃ A1 D1 (BE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₄ A2 DA (BE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₅ A2 D2 (FE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₆ A2 DB (BE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₇ A2 D3 (FE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₈ B1 DC (FE), Port 4, Switch 406Y P₉ B1 D4 (BE), Port 4, Switch 406Y P₁₀ B1 DD (FE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₁ B1 D5 (BE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₂ B2 DE (BE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₃ B2 D6 (FE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₄ B2 DF (BE), Port 7, Switch 406Y P₁₅ B2 D7 (FE), Port 7, Switch 406Y PORT LOGIC DIRECTOR, PORT, SWITCH MEMORY 1 P₀ A1 DC (FE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₁ A1 D4 (BE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₂ A1 DD (FE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₃ A1 D5 (BE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₄ A2 DE (BE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₅ A2 D6 (FE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₆ A2 DF (BE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₇ A2 D7 (FE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₈ B1 D8 (FE), Port 4, Switch 406Y P₉ B1 D0 (BE), Port 4, Switch 406Y P₁₀ B1 D9 (FE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₁ B1 D1 (BE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₂ B2 DA (BE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₃ B2 D2 (FE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₄ B2 DB (BE), Port 7, Switch 406Y P₁₅ B2 D3 (FE), Port 7, Switch 406Y MEMORY 2 P₀ A1 DF (BE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₁ A1 D1 (BE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₂ A1 D8 (FE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₃ A1 D2 (FE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₄ A2 D9 (FE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₅ A2 D3 (FE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₆ A2 DA (BE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₇ A2 D4 (BE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₈ B1 DB (BE), Port 4, Switch 406Y P₉ B1 D5 (BE), Port 4, Switch 406Y P₁₀ B1 DC (FE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₁ B1 D6 (FE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₂ B2 DD (FE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₃ B2 D7 (FE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₄ B2 DE (BE), Port 7, Switch 406Y P₁₅ B2 D0 (BE), Port 7, Switch 406Y MEMORY 3 P₀ A1 DB (BE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₁ A1 D5 (BE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₂ A1 DC (FE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₃ A1 D6 (FE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₄ A2 DD (FE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₅ A2 D7 (FE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₆ A2 DE (BE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₇ A2 D0 (BE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₈ B1 DF (BE), Port 4, Switch 406Y P₉ B1 D1 (BE), Port 4, Switch 406Y P₁₀ B1 D8 (FE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₁ B1 D2 (FE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₂ B2 D9 (FE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₃ B2 D3 (FE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₄ B2 DA (BE), Port 7, Switch 406Y P₁₅ B2 D4 (BE), Port 7, Switch 406Y MEMORY 4 P₀ A1 DE (BE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₁ A1 D2 (FE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₂ A1 DF (BE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₃ A1 D3 (FE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₄ A2 D8 (FE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₅ A2 D4 (BE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₆ A2 D9 (FE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₇ A2 D5 (BE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₈ B1 DA (BE), Port 4, Switch 406Y P₉ B1 D6 (FE), Port 4, Switch 406Y P₁₀ B1 DB (BE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₁ B1 D7 (FE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₂ B2 DC (FE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₃ B2 D0 (BE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₄ B2 DD (FE), Port 7, Switch 406Y P₁₅ B2 D1 (BE), Port 7, Switch 406Y MEMORY 5 P₀ A1 DA (BE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₁ A1 D6 (FE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₂ A1 DB (BE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₃ A1 D7 (FE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₄ A2 DC (FE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₅ A2 D0 (BE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₆ A2 DD (FE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₇ A2 D1 (BE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₈ B1 DE (BE), Port 4, Switch 406X P₉ B1 D2 (FE), Port 4, Switch 406Y P₁₀ B1 DF (BE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₁ B1 D3 (FE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₂ B2 D8 (FE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₃ B2 D4 (BE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₄ B2 D9 (FE), Port 7, Switch 406Y P₁₅ B2 D5 (BE), Port 7, Switch 406Y MEMORY 6 P₀ A1 DD (FE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₁ A1 D3 (FE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₂ A1 DE (BE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₃ A1 D4 (BE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₄ A2 DF (BE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₅ A2 D5 (BE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₆ A2 D8 (FE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₇ A2 D6 (FE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₈ B1 D9 (FE), Port 4, Switch 406Y P₉ B1 D7 (FE), Port 4, Switch 406Y P₁₀ B1 DA (BE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₁ B1 D0 (BE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₂ B2 DB (BE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₃ B2 D1 (BE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₄ B2 DC (FE), Port 7, Switch 406Y P₁₅ B2 D2 (FE), Port 7, Switch 406Y MEMORY 7 P₀ A1 D9 (FE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₁ A1 D7 (FE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₂ A1 DA (BE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₃ A1 D0 (BE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₄ A2 DB (BE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₅ A2 D1 (BE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₆ A2 DC (FE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₇ A2 D2 (FE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₈ B1 DD (FE), Port 4, Switch 406Y P₉ B1 D3 (FE), Port 4, Switch 406Y P₁₀ B1 DE (BE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₁ B1 D4 (BE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₂ B2 DF (BE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₃ B2 D5 (BE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₄ B2 D8 (FE), Port 7, Switch 406Y P₁₅ B2 D6 (FE), Port 7, Switch 406Y

TABLE II DIREC- CROSS- MEMORY MEMORY DIREC- TOR BAR MEMORY BOARD LOGIC TOR PORT SWITCH BOARD PORT NETWORK D2 2 406X M0 P5 A2 1 406X M2 P3 A1 0 406X M4 P1 A1 3 406X M7 P7 A2 6 406Y M1 P13 B2 5 406Y M3 P11 B1 4 406Y M5 P9 B1 7 406Y M6 P15 B2 DD 5 406Y M0 P10 B1 6 406Y M2 P12 B2 7 406Y M4 P14 B2 4 406Y M7 P8 B1 1 406X M1 P2 A1 2 406X M3 P4 A2 3 406X M5 P6 A2 0 406X M6 P0 A1 D3 3 406X M0 P7 A2 2 406X M2 P5 A2 1 406X M4 P3 A1 0 406X M6 P1 A1 7 406Y M1 P15 B2 6 406Y M3 P13 B2 5 406Y M5 P11 B1 4 406Y M7 P9 B1 DC 4 406Y M0 P8 B1 5 406Y M2 P10 B1 6 406Y M4 P12 B2 7 406Y M6 P14 B2 0 406X M1 P0 A1 1 406X M3 P2 A1 2 406X M5 P4 A2 3 406X M7 P6 A2 D9 1 406X MO P2 A1 2 406X M2 P4 A2 3 406X M4 P6 A2 0 406X M7 P0 A1 5 406Y M1 P10 B1 6 406Y M3 P12 B2 7 406Y M5 P14 B2 4 406Y M6 P8 B1 D6 6 406Y M0 P13 B2 5 406Y M2 P11 B1 4 406Y M4 P9 B1 7 406Y M7 P15 B2 2 406X M1 P5 A2 1 406X M3 P3 A1 0 406X M5 P1 A1 3 406X M6 P7 A2 D8 0 406X M0 P0 A1 1 406X M2 P2 A1 2 406X M4 P4 A2 3 406X M6 P6 A2 4 406Y M1 P8 B1 5 406Y M3 P10 B1 6 406Y M5 P12 B2 7 406Y M7 P14 B2 D7 7 406Y M0 P15 B2 6 406Y M2 P13 B2 5 406Y M4 P11 B1 4 406Y M6 P9 B1 3 406X M1 P7 A2 2 406X M3 P5 A2 1 406X M5 P3 A1 0 406X M7 P1 A1 DO 4 406Y M1 P9 B1 7 406Y M2 P15 B2 6 406Y M4 P13 B2 5 406Y M6 P11 B1 0 406X M0 P1 A1 3 406X M3 P7 A2 2 406X M5 P5 A2 1 406X M7 P3 A1 DF 7 406Y M0 P14 B2 0 406X M2 P0 A1 1 406X M4 P2 A1 2 406X M6 P4 A2 3 406X M1 P6 A2 4 406Y M3 P8 B1 5 406Y M5 P10 B1 6 406Y M7 P12 B2 D1 1 406X M0 P3 A1 0 406X M2 1 A1 7 406Y M4 P15 B2 6 406Y M6 P13 B2 5 406Y M4 P11 B1 4 406Y M3 P9 B1 3 406X M5 P7 A2 2 406X M7 P5 A2 DE 6 406Y M0 P12 B2 7 406Y M2 P14 B2 0 406X M4 P0 A1 1 406X M6 P2 A1 2 406X M1 P4 A2 3 406X M3 P6 A2 4 406Y M5 P8 B1 5 406Y M7 P10 B1 DB 3 406X M0 P6 A2 4 406Y M2 P8 B1 5 406Y M4 P10 B1 6 406Y M6 P12 B2 7 406Y M1 P14 B2 0 406X M3 P6 A1 1 406X M5 P2 A1 2 406X M7 P4 A2 D4 4 406Y M0 P9 B1 3 406X M2 P7 A2 2 406X M4 P5 A2 1 406X M6 P3 A1 0 406X M1 P1 A1 7 406Y M3 P15 B2 6 406Y M5 P13 B2 5 406Y M7 P11 B1 DA 2 406X M0 P4 A2 3 406X M2 P6 A2 4 406Y M4 P8 B1 5 406Y M6 P10 B1 6 406Y M1 P12 B2 7 406Y M3 P14 B2 0 406X M5 P0 A1 1 406X M7 P2 A1 D5 5 406Y M0 P11 B1 4 406Y M2 P9 B1 3 406X M4 P7 A2 2 406X M6 P5 A2 1 406X M1 P3 A1 0 406X M3 P1 A1 7 406Y M5 P15 B2 6 406Y M7 P13 B2

From TABLE I above, it is noted that each one of the switches (i.e., logic networks A1, A2, B1 and B2) in each domain is connected to a pair of front end director boards a pair of back-end director boards. For example, for logic networks 221 _(1A) (i.e., logic network A1), two of its port P₀ and P₂ are connected to one of the front-end director boards while the other two of its ports P₁ and P₃ are connected to one of the back-end director boards. Reference is made to FIG. 6A. This arrangement balances the loading on any one of the logic networks and thus increases the bandwidth of the system.

As noted above, the four switches (i.e., A1, A2, B1, B2) are in two independent domains, i.e., domain A and domain B, as shown in FIG. 6. Considering the exemplary four A ports P₀-P₃, each one of the four A ports P₀-P₃ can be coupled to the A port of any one of the memory array regions 1-4 through the logic network 221 _(1A) (i.e., A1). Thus, considering port P₀, such port P₀ can be coupled to the A port of the four memory array regions 1-4. Likewise, considering the four A ports P₄-P₇ of logic network 221 _(2A) (i.e., A2), each one of the four A ports P₄-P₇ can be coupled to the A port of any one of the memory array regions 1-4 through the logic network 221 _(2A). Likewise, considering the four B ports P₈-P₁₁ of logic network 221 _(1B) (B1), each one ofthe four B ports P₈-P₁₁ can be coupled to the B port of any one of the memory array regions 1-4 through logic network 221 _(1B). Likewise, considering the four B ports P₁₂-P₁₅ of logic network 221 _(2B) (B2), each one ofthe four B ports P₁₂-P₁₅ can be coupled to the B port of any one of the memory arrays through the logic network 221 _(2B). Thus, as described in the U.S. patent referred to above, considering port P₁₂, such port can be coupled to the B port of the four memory array regions 1-4. Thus, there are two separate independent paths (i.e., domains) data and control from either a front-end director 180 ₁-180 ₃₂ or a back-end director 200 ₁-200 ₃₂ can reach each one of the four memory array regions 1-4 on the memory board. The logics A1 and A2 are in domain A and the logics B1 and B2 are in domain B.

Further, as noted above, each one of the directors has a pair of redundant ports, i.e. a 402A port and a 402 B port (FIG. 5). More particularly, referring to FIG. 7, an exemplary pair of redundant directors is shown, here, for example, front-end director 180 ₁ and front end-director 180 ₂. It is first noted that the directors 180 ₁, 180 ₂ in each redundant pair of directors must be on different director boards, here boards 190 ₁ (D2), 190 ₂ (DD), respectively. Thus, here front-end director boards 190 ₁-190 ₈ have thereon: front-end directors 180 ₁, 180 ₃, 180 ₅ and 180 ₇; front-end directors 180 ₂, 180 ₄, 180 ₆ and 180 ₈; front end directors 180 ₉, 180 ₁₁, 180 ₁₃ and 180 ₁₅; front end directors 180 ₁, 180 ₁₂, 180 ₁₄ and 180 ₁₆; front-end directors 180 ₁₇, 180 ₁₉, 180 ₂₁ and 180 ₂₃; front-end directors 180 ₁₈, 180 ₂₀, 180 ₂₂ and 180 ₂₄; front-end directors 180 ₂₅, 180 ₂₇, 180 ₂₉ and 180 ₃₁; front-end directors 180 ₁-180 ₂₀, 180 ₂₂ and 180 ₂₄. Thus, here back-end director boards 210 ₁-210 ₈ have thereon: back-end directors 200 ₁, 200 ₃, 200 ₅ and 200 ₇; back-end directors 200 ₂, 200 ₄, 200 ₆ and 200 ₈; back-end directors 200 ₉, 200 ₁₁, 200 ₁₃ and 200 ₁₅; back-end directors 200 ₁₀, 200 ₁₂, 200 ₁₄ and 200 ₁₆; back-end directors 200 ₁₇, 200 ₁₉, 200 ₂₁ and 200 ₂₃; back-end directors 200 ₁₈, 200 ₂₀, 200 ₂₂ and 200 ₂₄; back-end directors 200 ₂₅ 200 ₂₇, 200 ₂₉ and 200 ₃₁; back-end directors 200 ₁₈, 200 ₂₀, 200 ₂₂ and 200 ₂₄ as discussed the two tables above.

Thus, here front-end director 180 ₁, shown in FIG. 7, is on front-end director board 190 ₁ (D2) and its redundant, or paired, front-end director 180 ₂, shown in FIG. 7, is on another front-end director board, here for example, front-end director board 190 ₂ (DD). As described above, and as described in more detail in the co-pending patent applications referred to above, each director has a pair of ports 402A, 402B, as shown in FIG. 6. Port 402A of the director is connected to switch 406X of crossbar switch 318 and the port 402B of the director is connected to switch 406Y of crossbar switch 318, as shown for director 180 ₁. Likewise, for redundant director 180 ₂.

The crossbar switch 318 has, as noted above, eight ports collectively referred to by numerical designation 321. These port ports plug into the backplane in the arrangement shown in FIG. 8. The eight ports for each one of the director boards are designated as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, as shown. Ports 0, 1, 2 and 3 are ports of the X crossbar switch 406X and ports 4, 5, 6 and 7 are ports of the Y crossbar switch 406Y.

It is noted that, for each memory board M0-M7, the logic in domain A (A1 or A2) is connected to one of the redundant pair of director boards while the logic in the domain B (B1 or B2) is connected to the other one of the redundant pair of director boards. Thus, here, for memory board M0, logic A2 is connected to director 180 ₂ of board D2 while logic B1 of memory board M0 is connected to director 180 ₂ of director board DD.

Further, it is noted that each director can be coupled to different domains of a pair of memory boards. For example, director 180 ₁ may be coupled to domain A (here logic A2) of memory board M0 through switch 406X and if such switch fails, to domain B (here logic B2) via switch 406Y on such director board DD.

Further, if director 180 ₁ fails, the memory M0 can be accessed via director 180 ₂. If domain A of memory M0 fails, the data in memory M0 can be accessed through its domain B logic through director 180 ₂. Thus, as stated more generally, each memory is accessible, via one of its domains, to one of a pair of directors and is also accessible, via its other domain, to the other one of the pair of directors. Further, it should be noted that each director is able to access a pair of memory boards. This later arrangement enables a dual write capability. That is, the data in a director may be written into memory boards. That is, with the arrangement shown, a director is able to write the same data into two different memories. Thus, for example, director 180 ₁ on board D2 can write data into memory M0 via switch 406X on board D2 and can write the same data into its paired memory M1 via switch 406Y on board D2. This is a dual-write feature with a point-to-point memory/director connection arrangement.

It should be noted that each one of the paired host computer processors 121 ₁, 121 ₂ can access the same memory through either one of the paired directors D2, DD. Thus, for example if one of the paired director boards fails, say board D2, host computer processor 121 ₁ can access memory M0 through its paired director board DD. It is noted that this arrangement applies to the back-end directors as shown in FIG. 7 for paired back-end directors D0 and DF.

The slots in the wired backplane for the director printed circuit boards and memory printed circuit boards are shown in FIG. 8.

The connections to the ports of the director boards and the memory boards via the backplane are presented in the Tables I and II, above.

Consider now a customer for that data storage system requires only half the memory as that shown and described above in connection with FIG. 2. That is, instead of eight memory boards the customer requires four memory boards. However, it is desired that the system operate with the redundancy and dual write capability described above, but with only four memory boards using the same backplane wiring as that for the eight memory board case described above.

To achieve this result, dummy memory boards and dummy directors are inserted into slots of the backplane otherwise occupied. These dummy boards do not have directors or memory arrays but rather have jumpers connected pair of ports of the dummy director board or dummy memory board, as the case may be, to be described. As will be shown, the use of these jumpers achieves the desired redundancy and dual write features described above.

Referring to FIG. 9, the slots in the backplane 302 are shown for a system having only 4 memory boards and eight director boards. Thus, here memory boards M2, M3, M4 and M 5 are replaced with dummy memory boards used in place of here memory boards M2, M3, M4 and M5, as shown in FIG. 10. The jumpers are indicated by J, here eight jumpers J1-J8, being used to connect pairs of the memory board ports for each of the dummy memory boards used in place of memory boards M2, M3, M4 and M5, as shown in FIG. 9. The connections provided by the jumpers for dummy memory boards M2, M3, M4 and M5 are: P0 TO P8;P2 TO P10; P3 TO P11; P4 TO P12; P5 TO P13; P6 TO P14; and P7 TO P15, as shown in FIG. 10.

Likewise, as shown in FIG. 9, the slots in the backplane 302 occupied by director boards D9, D6, D8, D7, DB, D4, DA and D5 in a fully populated system are replaced with dummy director boards shown in FIG. 11. The jumpers are indicated by J, here eight jumpers J1-J8, being used to connect pairs of the director board ports for each of the dummy director boards used in place of director boards D9, D6, D8, D7, DB, D4, DA AND D5, as shown in FIG. 12. The connections provided by the jumpers for directors boards D9, D6, DB and D4 are: PORT 0 TO PORT 7; PORT 1 TO PORT 6; PORT 2 TO PORT 5; and PORT 3 TO PORT 4 while connections provided by the jumpers for directors boards D8, DA, D7 and D5 are PORT 0 TO PORT 5; PORT 1 TO PORT 4; PORT 2 TO PORT 7; and PORT 3 TO PORT 6. as shown in FIG. 11.

These jumpers result in connections between memory boards M0, M1, M6 and M7 and directors D0, D1, D2, D3, DC, DD, DE AND DF are in the following Tables II and IV, respectively, below:

TABLE III MEMORY 0 PORT LOGIC DIRECTOR (END), PORT, SWITCH PATH P₀ A1 DC (FE), Port 1, Switch 406X D8 PORT 0, D8 PORT 5; M3, P10; M3, P2 P₁ A1 D0 (BE), Port 0, Switch 406X DIRECT P₂ A1 DD (FE), Port 2, Switch 406X D9 PORT 1; D9 PORT 6; M3, P12; M3, P4 P₃ A1 D1 (BE), Port 1, Switch 406X DIRECT P₄ A2 DE (BE), Port 3, Switch 406X DA PORT 2; DA PORT 7; M3, P14; M3, P6; P₅ A2 D2 (FE), Port 2, Switch 406X DIRECT P₆ A2 DF (BE), Port 0, Switch 406X DB PORT 3; DB PORT 4; M2, P8; M2, P0 P₇ A2 D3 (FE), Port 3, Switch 406X DIRECT P₈ B1 DC (FE), Port 4, Switch 406Y DIRECT P₉ B1 D0 (BE), Port 7, Switch 406Y D4 PORT 4; D4 PORT 3; M2, P7; M2, P15 P₁₀ B1 DD (FE), Port 5, Switch 406Y DIRECT P₁₁ B1 D1 (BE), Port 4, Switch 406Y D5 PORT 5; D5 PORT 0; M3, P1; M3, P4 P₁₂ B2 DE (BE), Port 6, Switch 406Y DIRECT P₁₃ B2 D2 (FE), Port 5, Switch 406Y D6 PORT 6; D6 PORT 1; M3, P3; M3, P11 P₁₄ B2 DF (BE), Port 7, Switch 406Y DIRECT P₁₅ B2 D3 (FE), Port 6, Switch 406Y D7 PORT 7; D7 PORT 2; M3, P5; M3, P13 MEMORY 1 PORT PORT DIRECTOR, PORT, SWITCH PATH P₀ A1 DC (FE), Port 0, Switch 406X DIRECT P₁ A1 D0 (BE), Port 3, Switch 406X D4 PORT 0; D4 PORT 7; M3, P15; M3, P7 P₂ A1 DD (FE), Port 1, Switch 406X DIRECT P₃ A1 D1 (BE), Port 0, Switch 406X D5 PORT 1; D5 PORT 4; M2, P9; M2, P1 P₄ A2 DE (BE), Port 2, Switch 406X DIRECT P₅ A2 D2 (FE), Port 1, Switch 406X D6 PORT 2; D6 PORT 5; M2, P11; M2, P3 P₆ A2 DF (BE), Port 3, Switch 406X DIRECT P₇ A2 D3 (FE), Port 2, Switch 406X D7 PORT 3; D7 PORT 6; M2, P13; M2, P5 P₈ B1 DC (FE), Port 5, Switch 406Y D8 PORT 4; D8 PORT 1; M2, P2; M2, P10 P₉ B1 D0 (BE), Port 4, Switch 406Y DIRECT P₁₀ B1 DD (FE), Port 6, Switch 406Y D9 PORT 5; D9 PORT 2; M2, P4; M2, P12 P₁₁ B1 D1 (BE), Port 5, Switch 406Y DIRECT P₁₂ B2 DE (BE), Port 7, Switch 406Y DA PORT 6; DA PORT 3; M2, P6; M2, P4 P₁₃ B2 D2 (FE), Port 6, Switch 406Y DIRECT P₁₄ B2 DF (BE), Port 4, Switch 406Y DB PORT 7, DB PORT 0; M3, P0; M3, P8 P₁₅ B2 D3 (FE), Port 7, Switch 406Y DIRECT DUMMY MEMORY 2 PORT PORT DIRECTOR, PORT, SWITCH/JUMPER P₀ P₈ DF (BE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₁ P₉ D1 (BE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₂ P₁₀ D8 (FE), Port 1, Jumper P₃ P₁₁ D2 (FE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₄ P₁₂ D9 (FE), Port 2, Jumper P₅ P₁₃ D3 (FE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₆ P₁₄ DA (BE), Port 3, Jumper P₇ P₁₅ D4 (BE), Port 3, Jumper P₈ P₀ DB (BE), Port 4, Jumper P₉ P₁ D5 (BE), Port 4, Jumper P₁₀ P₂ DC (FE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₁ P₃ D6 (FE), Port 5, Jumper P₁₂ P₄ DD (FE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₃ P₅ D7 (FE), Port 6, Jumper P₁₄ P₆ DE (BE), Port 7, Switch 406Y P₁₅ P₇ D0 (BE), Port 7, Switch 406Y DUMMY MEMORY 3 PORT PORT DIRECTOR, PORT, SWITCH/JUMPER P₀ P₈ DB (BE), Port 0, Jumper P₁ P₉ D5 (BE), Port 0, Jumper P₂ P₁₀ DC (FE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₃ P₁₁ D6 (FE), Port 1, Jumper P₄ P₁₂ DD (FE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₅ P₁₃ D7 (FE), Port 2, Jumper P₆ P₁₄ DE (BE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₇ P₁₅ D0 (BE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₈ P₀ DF (BE), Port 4, Switch 406Y P₉ P₁ D1 (BE), Port 4, Switch 406Y P₁₀ P₂ D8 (FE), Port 5, Jumper P₁₁ P₃ D2 (FE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₂ P₄ D9 (FE), Port 6, Jumper P₁₃ P₅ D3 (FE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₄ P₆ DA (BE), Port 7, Jumper P₁₅ P₇ D4 (BE), Port 7, Jumper DUMMY MEMORY 4 PORT DIRECTOR, PORT, SWITCH/JUMPER P₀ P₈ DE (BE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₁ P₉ D2 (FE), Port 0, Switch 406X P₂ P₁₀ DF (BE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₃ P₁₁ D3 (FE), Port 1, Switch 406X P₄ P₁₂ D8 (FE), Port 2, Jumper P₅ P₁₃ D4 (BE), Port 2, Jumper P₆ P₁₄ D9 (FE), Port 3, Jumper P₇ P₁₅ D5 (BE), Port 3, Jumper P₈ P₀ DA (BE), Port 4, Jumper P₉ P₁ D6 (FE), Port 4, Jumper P₁₀ P₂ DB (BE), Port 5, Jumper P₁₁ P₃ D7 (FE), Port 5, Jumper P₁₂ P₄ DC (FE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₃ P₅ D0 (BE), Port 6, Switch 406Y P₁₄ P₆ DD (FE), Port 7, Switch 406Y P₁₅ P₇ D1 (BE), Port 7, Switch 406Y DUMMY MEMORY 5 PORT PORT DIRECTOR, PORT, SWITCH/JUMPER P₀ P8 DA (BE), Port 0, Jumper P₁ P9 D6 (FE), Port 0, Jumper P₂ P10 DB (BE), Port 1, Jumper P₃ P11 D7 (FE), Port 1, Jumper P₄ P12 DC (FE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₅ P13 D0 (BE), Port 2, Switch 406X P₆ P14 DD (FE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₇ P15 D1 (BE), Port 3, Switch 406X P₈ P0 DE (BE), Port 4, Switch 406Y P₉ P1 D2 (FE), Port 4, Switch 406Y P₁₀ P2 DF (BE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₁ P3 D3 (FE), Port 5, Switch 406Y P₁₂ P4 D8 (FE), Port 6, Jumper P₁₃ P5 D4 (BE), Port 6, Jumper P₁₄ P6 D9 (FE), Port 7, Jumper P₁₅ P7 D5 (BE), Port 7, Jumper MEMORY 6 PORT LOGIC DIRECTOR, PORT, SWITCH PATH P₀ A1 DD (FE), Port 0, Switch 406X DIRECT P₁ A1 D3 (FE), Port 0, Switch 406X DIRECT P₂ A1 DE (BE), Port 1, Switch 406X DIRECT P₃ A1 D0 (BE), Port 2, Switch 406X D4 PORT 1; D4 PORT 6; M5, P13; M5, P5 P₄ A2 DF (BE), Port 2, Switch 406X DIRECT P₅ A2 D1 (BE), Port 3, Switch 406X D5 PORT 2; D5 PORT 7; M5, P15; M5, P7 P₆ A2 DC (FE), Port 2, Switch 406X D8 PORT 5; D8 PORT 6; M5, P12; M5, P4 P₇ A2 D2 (FE), Port 0, Switch 406X D6 PORT 3; D6 PORT 4; M4, P9; M4, P1 P₈ B1 DD (FE), Port 7, Switch 406Y D9 PORT 4; D9 PORT 3; M4, P6; M4, P14 P₉ B1 D3 (FE), Port 5, Switch 406Y D7 PORT 4; D7 PORT 1; M5, P3; M5, P11 P₁₀ B1 DE (BE), Port 4, Switch 406Y DA PORT 5; DA PORT 0; M5, P0; M5, P8 P₁₁ B1 D0 (BE), Port 5, Switch 406Y DIRECT P₁₂ B2 DF (BE), Port 5, Switch 406Y DB PORT 6; DB PORT 4; M5, P2; M5, P10 P₁₃ B2 D1 (BE), Port 6, Switch 406Y DIRECT P₁₄ B2 DC (FE), Port 7, Switch 406Y DIRECT P₁₅ B2 D2 (FE), Port 7, Switch 406Y DIRECT MEMORY 7 PORT LOGIC DIRECTOR, PORT, SWITCH PATH P₀ A1 DD (FE), Port 3, Switch 406Y D9 PORT 0; D9 PORT 7; M5, P14; M5, P6 P₁ A1 D3 (FE), Port 1, Switch 406X D7 PORT 4; D7 PORT 1; M5, P3,; M5, P11 P₂ A1 DE (BE), Port 0, Switch 406X DA PORT 1; DA PORT 4; M4, P8; M4, P0 P₃ A1 D0 (BE), Port 1, Switch 406X DIRECT P₄ A2 DF (BE), Port 1, Switch 406X DB PORT 2; DB PORT 5; M4, P10; M4, P2 P₅ A2 D1 (BE), Port 2, Switch 406X DIRECT P₆ A2 DC (FE), Port 3, Switch 406X DIRECT P₇ A2 D2 (FE), Port 3, Switch 406X DIRECT P₈ B1 DD (FE), Port 4, Switch 406Y DIRECT P₉ B1 D3 (FE), Port 4, Switch 406Y DIRECT P₁₀ B1 DE (BE), Port 5, Switch 406Y DIRECT P₁₁ B1 D0 (BE), Port 6, Switch 406Y D4 PORT 5; D4 PORT 2; M4, P5; M4, P13 P₁₂ B2 DF (BE), Port 6, Switch 406Y DIRECT P₁₃ B2 D1 (BE), Port 7, Switch 406Y D5 PORT 6; D5 PORT 3; M4, P7; M4, P15 P₁₄ B2 DC (FE), Port 6, Switch 406Y D8 PORT 7; D8 PORT 2; M4, P4; M4, P12 P₁₅ B2 D2 (FE), Port 4, Switch 406Y D6, PORT 7; D6 PORT 0; M5, P1; M5, P9

TABLE IV DIREC- CROSS- MEMORY MEMORY DIREC- TOR BAR MEMORY BOARD LOGIC TOR PORT SWITCH BOARD PORT NETWORK D2 2 406X M0 P5 A2 1 406X M1 P5 A2 0 406X M6 P7 A2 7 406Y M6 P15 B2 6 406Y M1 P13 B2 5 406Y M0 P13 B2 4 406Y M7 P15 B2 3 406X M7 P7 A2 DD 5 406Y M0 P10 B1 6 406Y M1 P10 B1 7 406Y M6 P8 B1 0 406X M6 P0 A1 1 406X M1 P2 A1 2 406X M0 P2 A1 3 406X M7 P0 A1 4 406Y M7 P8 B1 D3 3 406X M0 P7 A2 2 406X M1 P7 A2 1 406X M7 P1 A1 0 406X M6 P1 A1 7 406Y M1 P15 B2 6 406Y M0 P15 B2 5 406Y M6 P9 B1 4 406Y M7 P9 B1 DC 4 406Y M0 P8 B1 5 406Y M1 P8 B1 6 406Y M7 P14 B2 7 406Y M6 P14 B2 0 406X M1 P0 A1 1 406X M0 P0 A1 2 406X M0 P6 A2 3 406X M7 P6 A2 DO 0 406X M0 P1 A1 7 406Y M0 P9 B1 6 406Y M7 P11 B1 5 406Y M6 P11 B1 4 406Y M1 P9 B1 3 406X M1 P1 A1 2 406X M6 P3 A1 1 406X M7 P3 A1 DF 7 406Y M0 P14 B2 0 406X M0 P6 A2 1 406X M7 P4 A2 2 406X M6 P4 A2 3 406X M1 P6 A2 4 406Y M1 P14 B2 5 406Y M6 P12 B2 6 406Y M7 P12 B2 D1 1 406X M0 P3 A1 0 406X M1 P3 A1 7 406Y M7 P13 A2 6 406Y M6 P13 B2 5 406Y M1 P11 B1 4 406Y MO P11 P11 3 406X M6 P5 A2 2 406X M7 P5 A2 DE 6 406Y M0 P12 B2 7 406Y M1 P12 B2 0 406X M7 P2 A1 1 406X4 M6 P2 A1 2 406X M1 P4 A2 3 406X M0 P4 A2 4 406Y M6 P10 B1 5 406Y M7 P10 B1

It should be noted that the redundancy and dual write features of a fully populated system, described in detail in FIG. 7 are features retained in the de-populated system, here with only 4 memory boards and 8 director boards. Further, in will be noted that in this de-populated system, each logic network on the memory board is coupled to a pair of front end directors and a pair of back end directors as shown from the TABLES III and IV above.

More particularly, as noted above, each one of the directors has a pair of redundant ports, i.e., 402A port and 402 B port (FIG. 5). Thus, referring to FIG. 13 for the 4 memory/8 director system (referred to as the de-populated system), an exemplary pair of redundant directors is shown, here, for example, front-end director 180 ₁ and front end-director 180 ₂. It is first noted that the directors 180 ₁, 180 ₂ in each redundant pair of directors are again on different director boards, here boards 190 ₁ (D2), 190 ₂ (DD), respectively. Thus, here front-end director 180 ₁, shown in FIG. 15, is on front-end director board 190 ₁ (D2) and its redundant front-end director 180 ₂, shown in FIG. 13, is on another front-end director board, here for example, front-end director board 190 ₂ (DD). As described above, each director has a pair of ports 402A, 402B, as shown in FIG. 15. Port 402A of the director is connected to switch 406X of crossbar switch 318 and the port 402B of the director is connected to switch 406Y of crossbar switch 318, as shown for director 180 ₁. Likewise, for redundant director 180 ₂.

The crossbar switch 318 has, as noted above, eight ports collectively referred to by numerical designation 321. These port ports plug into the backplane in the arrangement shown in FIG.9. The eight ports for each one of the director boards are designated as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, as shown. Ports 0, 1, 2 and 3 are ports of the X crossbar switch 406X and ports 4, 5, 6 and 7 are ports of the Y crossbar switch 406Y.

It is noted that because of the jumpers on the memory boards and director boards described above, instead of the eight ports of the director board being coupled to memory elements (i.e., memory regions 1-4) on eight memory board, here they are connected to only four memory boards. Thus, referring to FIG. 13, director board D2 and paired director board DD are each connected only four memory boards, here memory boards M0, M1, M6 and M7, as shown.

Further, it is noted that each director can be coupled to different domains of a pair of memory boards. For example, director 180 ₁ on director board D2 may be coupled to domain A (here logic A2) of memory board M0 through switch 406X and if such switch fails, to domain B (here logic B2) of memory board M0 through switch 406Y on such director board D2.

Further, if director 180 ₁ fails, the memory M0 can be accessed via director 180 ₂. If domain A of memory M0 fails, the data in memory M0 can be accessed through its domain B logic through director 180 ₂. Thus, as stated more generally, each memory is accessible, via one of its domains, to one of a pair of directors and is also accessible, via its other domain, to the other one of the pair of directors. Further, it should be noted that each director is able to access a pair of memory boards. This later arrangement enables a dual write capability. That is, the data in a director may be written into memory boards. That is, with the arrangement shown, a director is able to write the same data into two different memories. Thus, for example, director 180 ₁ on board D2 can write data into memory M0 via switch 406X on board D2 and can write the same data into its paired memory M1 via switch 406Y on board D2. This is a dual-write feature with a point-to-point memory/director connection arrangement.

Finally it should be noted that each one of the paired host computer processors 121 ₁, 121 ₂ can access the same memory through either one of the paired directors D2, DD. Thus, for example if one of the paired director boards fails, say board D2, host computer processor 121 ₁ can access memory M0 through its paired director board DD.

It is noted that this arrangement applies to the back-end directors as shown in FIG. 7 for paired back-end directors D0 and DF.

It is first noted that, referring to FIG. 10, all dummy (jumper) memory boards have the same jumper arrangement. It is next noted from FIG. 11, that the jumper arrangements used for director boards D9, DB, D6, and D4 are the same. Here all such director boards D9, DB, D6, and D4 have the jumpers arranged in a hereinafter referred to type “A” configuration. Further, the jumper arrangements for director boards D8, DA, D7 and D5 are the same. Here all such director boards D8, DA, D7 and D8 have the jumpers arranged in a hereinafter referred to different type “B” configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 14, a universal dummy (jumper) director board UD is shown. It should be noted from FIG. 9 that all of the slots in the backplane for the director boards and the memory boards have a unique slot designation. More particularly, the slot designations from left to right are slot 0 through slot 23, as indicated. (This same slot designation applies to the fully populated backplane shown FIG. 8). Thus, the backplane has pins, not shown, hardwired to a 5-bit code representative of the slot designation. Thus, when director D0 plugs into slot 0 of the backplane, such director receives a binary code 00000. Likewise, when memory board M0 is plugged into slot 8 of the backplane provides the code 01000 to the memory board. And so forth for the other director boards and the memory boards.

Referring again to FIG. 14, the universal dummy director (i.e., jumper board) has three switches S1, S2, S3, S4 controlled and a decoder. When the universal board is plugged into a backplane slot, if the decoder thereon detects a code indicating that it is plugged into any of the slots: 17 (i.e., a D9 slot); 19 (i.e., a DB slot); slot 6 (i.e., a D6 slot); or slot 4 (i.e., a D4 slot), a logic 1 is produced by the decoder thereby placing the switches S1, S2, S3 and S4, in a type “A” configuration. When the universal board is plugged into a backplane slot, if the decoder detects that it is plugged into any of the slots: 16 (i.e., a D8 slot); 18 (i.e., a DA slot); slot 7 (i.e., a D7 slot); or slot 5 (i.e., a DS slot), a logic 0 is produced by the decoder placing the switches S1, S2, S3 and S4 in a type “B” configuration.

In the type “A” condition, the switches S1, S2, S3 and S4, connect: port 0 to port 7; port 1 to port 6, port 2 to port 5; and port 3 to port 4, respectively. When in the type “B” condition, the switches S1, S2, S3 and S4, connect: port 0 to port 5; port 1 to port 4, port 2 to port 7; and port 3 to port 6, respectively. Thus, same universal board UD may be used for any director having jumpers.

Thus, a universal director board UD may be inserted into slots 4, 5, 6, 7, 16, 17, 18 and 19 and the decoders thereon will automatically active the switches S1, S2, S3, S4 to configure the universal boards to those shown in FIG. 1, described above.

It is noted that the signals passing through the director boards are here positive emitter coupled logic (PECL) signals. Further, it is to be noted that the switches S1, S2 and S3 are also used rebufer these signals. Here, the switches S1, S2 and S3 are model VCS-830 switches by Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation, 741 Calle Plano, Camarillo, Calif. 93012.

Other embodiments are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A method for providing a data storage system for transferring data between a host computer/server and a bank of disk drives through a system interface, such system interface having a plurality of first directors, a plurality of second directors, and a global memory, comprising: providing a backplane having slots adapted to have plugged therein a plurality of printed circuit boards, such printed circuit boards comprising: a plurality of first printed circuit boards having the first directors; a plurality of second printed circuit boards having the second directors; a plurality of memory printed circuit boards providing the global memory; a plurality of dummy first director boards having first jumpers; a plurality of dummy second director boards having second jumpers, a plurality of dummy memory boards having third jumpers; wiring the backplane to effect a connection among the first, second and third jumpers to interconnect the first directors to the host computer/server, the second directors to the bank of disk drives, and the global memory; to the first directors and to the second directors; wherein the wiring connects the plurality of memory printed circuit boards to the first directors and the second directors to enable each one of the first directors and the second directors access to the global memory; and wherein the wiring connects the plurality of first printed circuit boards to the memory printed circuit boards in a point-to-point configuration and connects the second printed circuit boards plurality of director boards to the memory printed circuit boards in a point-to-point configuration.
 2. The method recited in claim 1 wherein the wiring and the jumpers enables each one of the first directors and each one of the second directors to be connected to different portions of the global memory.
 3. The method recited in claim 2 wherein the wiring and the jumpers enables each one of the first printed circuit boards to be connected to different ones of the plurality of memory printed circuit boards and each one of the second printed circuit boards to be connected to different ones of the plurality of memory printed circuit boards.
 4. A data storage system for transferring data between a host computer/server and a bank of disk drives through a system interface, such system interface having a plurality of first directors, a plurality of second directors, and a global memory, comprising: a backplane having slots adapted to have plugged therein a plurality of printed circuit boards, such printed circuit boards comprising: a plurality of first printed circuit boards having the first directors; a plurality of second printed circuit boards having the second directors; a plurality of memory printed circuit boards providing the global memory; a plurality of dummy first director boards having first jumpers; a plurality of dummy second director boards having second jumpers; a plurality of dummy memory boards having third jumpers; and wherein the backplane is wired to effect a connection among the first, second and third jumpers to interconnect the first directors to the host computer/server, the second directors to the bank of disk drives' and the global memory to the first directors and to the second directors, the wiring connecting the plurality of memory printed circuit boards to the first directors and the second directors to enable each one of the first directors and the second directors access to the global memory and, wherein the wiring connects the first plurality of first director boards to the memory printed circuit boards in a point-to-point configuration and connects the plurality of second printed circuit boards to the memory printed circuit boards in a point-to-point configuration.
 5. The system recited in claim 4 wherein the wiring and the jumpers connect each one of the first directors and each one of the second directors to be connected to different portions of the global memory.
 6. The system recited in claim 5 wherein the wiring and the jumpers connect each one of the first printed circuit boards to be connected to different ones of the plurality of memory printed circuit boards and each one of the second printed circuit boards to be connected to different ones of the plurality of memory printed circuit boards.
 7. The system recited in claim 6 wherein the first printed circuit boards, the second printed circuit boards, the memory printed circuit boards, the dummy first director boards, the dummy second director boards, the dummy memory printed circuit boards are disposed in a side-by-side array in the backplane. 